2025 Compare Cities Overview:
Marina, CA vs Merced, CA

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Highlights
Are people in Merced older or younger than people in Marina?
- The Median Age in Merced is 5.3 years younger than in Marina.

Are housing costs cheaper in Merced or Marina?
- Merced housing costs are 53.3% less expensive than Marina housing costs.

Which city has a longer commute, Merced or Marina?
- The average commute for residents of Merced is 0.1 minutes longer than it is for residents of Marina.

Things to do in Marina?
Marina is a small coastal city located in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. It's just north of Monterey and Carmel, close to where the famous 17 Mile Drive winds its way along the Pacific coast. With a population of almost 20,000 people, Marina has a relaxed vibe and beautiful scenery, making it perfect for eco-tourism. Activities range from kayaking and whale watching to hiking trails and outdoor activities. The Marina State Beach offers great views and elegant picnicking experiences, while nearby military installations such as Fort Ord provide interesting historical tours and educational opportunities. Marina is one of California’s hidden gems – an undiscovered paradise waiting to be explored!

Things to do in Merced?
Merced, California is a mid-sized city located in Central Valley known for its proximity to Yosemite National Park or Lake Yosemite making it an ideal spot for outdoor recreation.

 Marina, CAMerced, CAUnited States
 Population  Unlock85,993329,725,481
 Median Income$78,795  Unlock$69,021
 Median Age  Unlock29.638.4
 Avg. Home Price$798,900  Unlock$338,100
 Unemployment Rate  Unlock9.3%6.0%
 Avg. Commute Time23.41  Unlock26.38
Reviews for Marina    4 Reviews

I've lived in Marina for the last 15 years. It is a gray place with old dated looking buildings, no real main street, and is the domain of the slum lord, and the mini  More

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Old Fort Ord is the only affordable housing on the Monterey Peninsula. It's frequently colder here than it was in Oregon. There is finally some local public  More

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Over 18 years ago

I find it funny when I lived here from '91-'01 there were hardly any stores new homes being build to justify staying. Then as soon as I move the city finally starts  More

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Reviews for Merced    44 Reviews

Merced is totally slept on - you want a little bit of everything CA has to offer, at a fraction of the price of other CA cities? Merced is the place to go. The town  More

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Over 5 years ago

Good place to live. More affordable than most of california. The city is growing and there is alot of business and growth here. Moved from the Bay area years ago and  More

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Great place to live. Lots of progress and changes coming to the city. Great place to raise a family. UC Merced is expanding and businesses are investing. Downtown is  More

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